[bill]

bill on December 20, 2021 at 9:57 am · in reply to: TftNA zones and Z1/Z2 #60992

Nate – Thanks for the clarifications. I think I understand the Z1 and Z2 differences. They make sense but I was asking a different question, which may have not been very clear…

The zone system used in TftNA is based on max heart rate and ventilatory response rather than AeT and AnT. What is the best way to map our AeT/AnT based zone system to the zone-based training described in TftNA? Do I just lay my current AeT-based zones over the HRmax derived zones? Or something else?

I guess my confusion is rooted in how many different ways “zone” is defined… the AeT/AnT version, the HRmax version, the TP version and knowing how to translate between them.

[bill]

bill on December 15, 2021 at 9:41 am · in reply to: Anaerobic Threshold Test #60836

Edgar, I am on my third “optical heart rate” watch and while I find that they work okay for casual HR tracking – as long as the band is tight and the arm isn’t in heavy use – they won’t do for heart rate based training. That’s a drag because it sure is nice to track my activity…

I just upgraded to a Fenix 6 from an Instinct (which was an upgrade from a Fenix 2) and I didn’t see much of a shift in my resting heart rate (first thing in the morning) but the Fenix 6 is definitely measuring a lower average heart rate during the day, often by five or ten BPM. Is it more accurate or less? Hard to tell without wearing a chest strap for twenty-four hours and comparing a couple of like days.

As much as I hate mucking about with a chest strap, especially while hiking and climbing, I now wear one for all of my tracking-necessary activities and I take the optical HR readings with a large grain of salt.

[bill]

bill on December 11, 2021 at 8:39 pm · in reply to: Upcoming Dec 22nd Zoom Questions (Nutrition) #60647

I would like to ask Rebecca about training at a calorie deficit at two points of the training cycle: while building aerobic capacity, and during blocks of training with high intensity or muscular endurance workouts. Is it even possible (in either) and if it is, how does one develop a plan and monitor its workability? Does training at a calorie deficit require a shift in the mix of carbs, protein, and fat?

[bill]

bill on November 25, 2021 at 12:46 pm · in reply to: “flat” terrain workouts and getting into Z2 #59838

Thanks Mark. I am recovering pretty well, so I will try adding more hilly terrain and see how it goes. – Bill

BTW, I wasn’t able to make the Wednesday Zoom call but watched it today. Lots of helpful info!

[bill]

bill on November 22, 2021 at 8:47 am · in reply to: Aerobic HR at altitude #59628

I live at pretty close to sea level and most of my training hikes are between 2500 and 6000 feet. So I have this question, too, though I am afraid I know the answer… AeT doesn’t change with altitude.

[bill]

bill on November 17, 2021 at 1:17 pm · in reply to: pushing AeT up from below – how big a difference is too much? #59437

Nathan – thanks for the detailed response. Here’s my TL;DL version:

– With the principles of progression and modulation underpinning the training plan, working closer to AeT builds capacity faster as long as you are recovering between sessions and injury-free.

– If you aren’t brutally honest about your state of recovery, you are going to train too hard.

– We can see two improvements as we build aerobic capacity: the gap between AeT and LT will get smaller and the pace at any given HR below AeT will improve. That’s why the drift test has to be done either with pace information (outdoors) or at steady pace and incline (indoors).

Sorry for all the questions. I was trained as an engineer… understanding process and variables gives me confidence in the system I am using and I really want to avoid making more of the zillion training mistakes I’ve made over the years.

Bill

[bill]

bill on November 14, 2021 at 3:34 pm · in reply to: transitioning into this training plan #59313

Thanks Nate and Mark!

[bill]

bill on November 14, 2021 at 3:32 pm · in reply to: Chamonix Mountain Fit… #59312

@mark – thanks for the feedback.

i am not used to endurance *and* strength training at the same time. over the years it was working on improving endurance or on strength but not on both, based on the old gym myth that you have to choose between strong and fast. and strength training always focused on the big muscles and ignored all the important, small ones that chamonix fit requires. but (hopefully) this old dog is learning some new tricks…

[bill]

bill on November 8, 2021 at 7:46 pm · in reply to: transitioning into this training plan #59007

@mark thanks! just to be clear, in my case that means cutting back my current aerobic training load, which is roughly four hours a week, all in Z1 and Z2. i am okay with that, just want to be sure i am transitioning appropriately. – bill

[bill]

bill on November 8, 2021 at 7:40 pm · in reply to: Aerobic Test Thread #59005

I did the drift test today after doing a practice trial last week to figure out the protocol. Based on past experience and my current state of fitness, I would have guessed my AeT to be between 125 and 130, but being conservative, I assumed 120 for this run. The difference between the two halves of the test was 3 BPM (120 vs 123) so I guessed low and will run the test again at 125. Three questions from that:

– Until I run another test, can I assume 125 for my AeT for now?
– How often is it useful to check for AeT upticks, particularly if one is not expecting
to see big shifts?
– When should we do an LT test?

By the way, I am really happy with this test option. I’ve done blood lactate and gas exchange tests, which may be (marginally) more accurate but are an expensive PITA to arrange and do.

[bill]

bill on November 7, 2021 at 5:17 pm · in reply to: What are your upcoming climbs/events/goals that made you join? #58930

last year, i returned to the mountains after a long break, spent a season of seeing all the beautiful PNW volcanoes from the tops of hills like silver star, and decided that climbing south sister, mt hood, mt st helens, mt adams, mt baker, and rainier would be fun. my first milestone on that road is to take the AAI alpine mountaineering course next august, which includes a climb of mt baker, and re-boot my very rusty mountaineering skills.

[bill]

bill on November 5, 2021 at 9:48 pm · in reply to: Where is everyone located? #58865

Hello all. I am in Portland, Oregon and working toward climbs of all the usual PNW volcanoes, beginning next summer.